Desperado: The Best of The Week
Rihanna. Photo: Kevin Mazur
Last week we had some nights where the options of what to do could have created strife in deciding. This week isn’t any different with concerts by stellar locals along with some serious heavy-hitters, ranging from Rihanna and The Cure to Hall & Oates and Florence + The Machine. Houston, your next seven days are all planned out.
Wednesday you could get started at Under The Volcano when punk new wave legend Wreckless Eric stops by to drop an intimate set. Part of the legendary Stiff Records crew, Eric had a ton of singles keep him going over the years, including “Whole Wide World,” and “Reconnez Cherie.” He rarely comes to Texas, and the British singer will be here in support of last year’s AmERICa. The 21 and up show has doors at 8 pm and a TBA cover, and is one you shouldn’t miss.
If that’s not your thing, then you could trek over to Rudyard’s to catch the R&B punk throwback tunes of Oakland’s The Atom Age. Known for electric energy and swanky outfits when they perform, this group is often compared to a modern day MC5. Their latest album, Hot Shame, from last year is pretty intense and a punch to the face. There’s no word of openers yet, but that could change for the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a $10 cover.
Valhalla at Rice University will host their KTRU Senior Week show with a set from Houston’s Fat Tony. I don’t know what I can say about this guy that I haven’t said at least ten times before. A true performer in every sense of the word, Tony’s been dropping jams on the regular as of late, and his latest, Look, is three tracks full of future. He’s gonna’ have to go harder than usual when he goes on after the highly energetic set from Houston’s Genesis Blu. I feel like if you miss her set then you’ve done yourself a disservice. Genesis can rock a mic better than most male MC’s and her live show is on point. Her latest release, 3Peace, from this year shows that she’s ahead of most in the rap game. The all ages show gets going around 9:30 pm and it’s 100% FREE. Side note, be careful where you park, which is my way of saying that you should just pay to park to be safe.
A Giant Dog. Photo: Jackie Roman
Thursday you could start at Satellite Bar, when the highly praised sounds of Austin’s A Giant Dog comes to town. Hailed by fans and critics alike, the five piece plays what they call rock, but it’s really more atmospheric. Their brand new album, Pile is pretty awesome, and they’ve become quite well known for their energetic live shows. Houston’s Young Mammals will be on the bill as direct support, and should give the Austin band a run for their money. The popular group should be dropping tunes from their upcoming new album alongside jams from 2024’s Alto Seco. One of Houston’s better new bands, Frog Hair will bring their interesting lo-fi sounds on as openers for the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and an $8 cover.
If you had planned on catching Nashville’s Lany in the studio at Warehouse Live, the show has since sold out. If you have tickets, the doors are at 7:00.
Avant Garden will host the trippy hard acid electronics of Oakland’s 404 Not Found. Though little information is out there about the group or possibly just one person, the fact that Houston’s Cop Warmth will be joined by a solo set from Collin Hedrick and Andrew Sainz will be on beforehand is the universe’s way of telling you to attend. The 21 and up show has doors around 8 pm and it’s a measly $5 cover.
Over at Rudyard’s you could catch the hard rock of Miami’s Torche. Known for loud and driving rock, they’ll be here in support of last year’s Restarter. The instrumental metal of Austin’s Eagle Claw will be on hand as direct support, and will be making ears bleed. They both might have to rock a little harder as Houston’s Omotai will open things up. This band mixes metal and grindcore together to punish your ears while you bang your head to their crazed live sets, and 2024’s Fresh Hell is pretty insane. The all ages show has doors at 8 pm and tickets for $12.
The Bootown group will be debuting a new Benshi show with “Love Isn’t Real and We All Die Alone,” over at Grand Prize. The show has a synopsis here, it’s 21 and up with 8 pm doors, and the “pay what you can” show has a suggested donation of $10.
Dollie Barnes. Photo: Daniel Jackson
If you’d rather party like it’s 1999, then you could head to Continental Club for their Prince Tribute Night show. The show will have a permanent backing band that consists of several heavy hitters in Houston. The band made up of Geoffrey Muller, Kelly Doyle, Tank, Austin Sepulvado, and more will allow sets from the singers of Dollie Barnes, Mikey & the Drags, Kelly Doyle Trio, Buxton, and The Tontons. A children of pop DJ set will be in the backyard as well, while a slew of Houston singers drop their own versions of Prince songs for the 21 and up show with a $10 cover and doors at 9 pm.
Friday you could start off at House of Blues for a double dose of DJ from DJ Baby Roo. Kick things off for Happy Hour in the Lounge and follow it up with a set from him after that. The all ages event gets going at 5 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
If you’re up for a jam, then you could trek out to Woodlands Pavilion to catch a set from Dave Matthews Band. I’m not really a fan of these guys, but I will admit that they know how to throw a solid live show. The all ages show has doors at 6 pm and tickets between $40.50 and $85.
Young Thug. Photo: Courtesy of Artist
If you had planned on catching Young Thug over at Warehouse Live in the ballroom, the show has since sold out. If you already have tickets, the doors are at 7 pm.
Raven Tower will have the bluegrass Americana sounds of Austin’s Wood & Wire. The four piece has made their rounds on the festival circuit, their live shows are pretty engaging, and last year’s The Coast is pretty great. The bluegrass banjo of the Bad Livers’ Danny Barnes will be on as direct support and opener. This guy is a hell of a player who’s also performed with Dave Matthews and composed songs for soundtracks. His latest album, is a revised version of his 2024 album, Got Myself Together (Ten Years Later), which makes him not to be missed for the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $13 and $17.
Rudyard’s will be bringing some punk rock goodness to life when The Satanic Overlords of Rock N’ Roll headline a show at the upstairs venue. Aside from having possibly the greatest band names in Houston if not of all time, this highly charged and energetic group is like a kick to the face. Mixing hints of punk rock and sleaze, their song “Demon” showcases just a bit of their raw sound, and their live shows are an intense party. They’ll have The Burns on prior, with Houston’s Hell’s Engine on beforehand. The mid tempo old school punk of Houston three piece Screech Of Death will also be on the bill while The Bang Shifts open the 21 and up show with doors at 7:30 pm and a paltry $8 cover.
Linear Downfall. Photo: Sarah McDonald
Walters will host the album release party for Houston’s Devil Killing Moth. The five piece makes this blend of acoustic alt rock that’s very much its own sound, and their live shows are always entertaining. The intriguing and intense sounds of Nashville’s Linear Downfall will be on as direct support. The last time this band came through, I pretty much begged people to go check their insane live show out, and I watched them with a crowd of about twenty others who all had our minds blown. Their latest release, Sufferland, is the kind of bizarre album that bands like The Flaming Lips and Of Montreal wish they could make. The electro pop of Houston’s Rex Hudson will go on prior, and will bring his latest, the jam heavy No Return to life for those who attend. Kicking off things, will be the always highly energetic sounds of Only Beast for the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $7 and $10.
Over at Satellite Bar you can catch the ska sounds from Houston’s The Suspects. The nineties dancehall ska holdovers always throw a hell of a show, and if you’ve never seen them then this is your chance. The energetic and flamboyant hip hop of Houston’s Dirty & Nasty will be direct support for the bill. These two have plenty of swag on their live sets, but it’s their mic skills from Sons of The Queen that should impress you more. NOLA rapper, Alfred Banks will be on the show as well. Banks will be here in support of his latest drop, this year’s A Beautiful Prelude EP. The roots reggae of Galveston’s DEM will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets for $10.
Frenetic Theater will be hosting the Seeing Sounds Fest. The event that blends performance art with music will feature sets from Blaze X Black as well as a DJ set from DJ Shante from 93.7, as well as many others. There’s more information available here, with doors at 8 pm and tickets $20 and $32.
Marshmello. Photo: Tony Tran
Stereo Live will host the masked EDM jams of fluffy trap house DJ/producer, Marshmello. This guy has done remixes for Jack U, Zedd, and more, and just dropped the collection of tracks, Joytime, that shows off his groove heavy tunes. He’s appeared on a ton of fests and EDM festivals, he’s known for a lit live show, and this appearance is one worth showing up for. The 18 and up show has doors at 9 pm, and while the presale is SOLD OUT, the venue should have tickets at the door.
The Cure. Photo: John Shearer
Saturday you can start off at Toyota Center for the British new wave sounds of The Cure. Though their last proper release was eight years ago, the fact that these guys are legends should be enough to spark your attention. They’ve been around since the late seventies, and with hits like “Boys Don’t Cry,” “Friday I’m In Love,” “Just Like Heaven,” I could keep going, though I’ve always felt that “Fascination Street” is one of the best songs ever written…they’re an epic band I shouldn’t have to oversell you on. I caught them in the nineties when they toured on the album, Disintegration, and they were pretty amazing to see perform. To my knowledge though, the all ages show with doors at 6:30 pm has since sold out.
Raven Tower will host the album release for singer songwriter, and all around bad ass John Evans. Evans has been around for a good while, but after taking some time away from performing, he’s back with his best album to date, Polyester. He’ll have UK artist and rocker in his own right, Nic Armstrong and the Thieves on as direct support and opener as well. Last year Armstrong dropped the Negative Slant EP and proved that he’s still destined to give the world his blend of sixties and modern day Brit rock. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and tickets for $15.
Satellite Bar will have the indie third wave emo of Orlando’s Henrietta come to town, and so you know, these guys sound awesome. They just dropped a new album called Paper Wings that’s like if Jeremy from Sunny Day Real Estate sang for a band that was a mixture of Promise Ring & Knapsack. South Carolina’s Ivandell will bring their mix of indie rock and shoegaze to life as direct support, and their 2024 album Maybe Tomorrow is pretty great to say the least. The emo indie rock goodness of Houston’s Valens will be on the bill as well. These guys are a three piece, with the power of a five piece, and their album “The Trouble of Finding Out” from last year is one of the best emo albums you can hear. Possibly the tightest live band in Houston, the indie rock and two part harmonized sounds of Brand New Hearts will be on hand as openers, and if you’ve never heard their 2024 album Brand New Hearts, then you’ve been doing Houston wrong. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and an $8 cover.
At Continental Club, you can catch up with all of the moondoggies, when surf rock legend Dick Dale performs. Dale is best known for his hit song, “Miserlou” that was in the film “Pulp Fiction,” but he has a ton of other jams under his belt. He’s not getting any younger, so if you’ve always wanted to see him live, scientifically this could be one of your last chances. The 21 and up show has doors at 7 pm and tickets for $40.
Frenetic Theater will be bringing burlesque to their stage for the Tall Tassle Tales presented by The House of Dollz. Multiple performers will guide you through a world of UN-fairytales, offering up a new burlesque show in town. Hosted by Chanel St. Sin and Lola Von Deadly, the show will have performances by eight to ten performers. Tickets are between $12 and $25 and the doors are at 7 pm.
Loretta Lynn. Photo: Courtesy of PBS
Arena Theatre will host one of the best performers ever to grace a stage, when country music legend Loretta Lynn performs in the round. I would hope that it wasn’t a secret that I’m a massive fan, and when I met her I almost passed out. She has a ton of hits including “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind),” and she even made an album with Jack White. Her latest release, this year’s Full Circle, is a return to form and a great album. She’s not going to be around forever, so this could be one of the last times you can see her perform in person. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and tickets for $45.50.
Walters will have a special set from California’s From Indian Lakes. The show, which will be an acoustic set, is in support of their latest release, Wanderer, from this year. If you’re a fan, this will probably be the only time you can see this set from this band. The post hardcore indie rock sounds of Houston’s Crimson Arrow will be on as direct support and openers. The band is also using this opportunity to release their new album, Living In Still Frames. From what I’ve heard of the album, the Houston five piece is worth getting there early for the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $10 and $13.
You can get your metal fix when Austin’s Black Vice brings their black metal to House of Creeps. The sludge noise one man band of Crawl will be on as direct support, while Houston’s Peasant will bring their speedy dark metal on beforehand. The heavy sludge metal of Houston’s Holy Money will open the show with doors at 8 pm and a $7 cover.
Freddie Gibbs. Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Facebook
Warehouse Live will have a set from Missouri rapper, Freddie Gibbs over in the studio. Gibbs has scheduled shows here in the past but didn’t show up, so if you’re a fan then this is where you should be. Known for his hit track, “Old English,” Gibbs is a strong performer. His latest release, last year’s Shadow of A Doubt, is a definite banger, and should be cool to catch live. The sub trap sounds of Jay IDK will be on as direct support, as well as way too many openers. The all ages show has doors at 8 pm and tickets between $18 and $20.
MKT Bar will have a night filled with Prince themed jams, for the Purple Rain Karaoke, where you can come excell or butcher your favorite Prince songs. James Pendleton of Rosewood Thievz will MC the night that gets going around 9 pm with “purple” themed drinks, and it’s 100% FREE.
You can close out Saturday over at Khon’s for another edition of Get Down. This edition will feature sets from Eroda One alongside another rager of a set from Angiesliste and FavelaEthernet. The all ages event gets going around 10 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
Sunday you could begin at Continental Club for their Perro de Mayo show that benefits Houston charity Barrio Dogs. The show, in its second year will have a headlining set from outlaw country band, Mike & the Moonpies. The Austin six piece has a large following, and Rolling Stone called their 2024 album Mockingbird one of the best country albums of the year. The western swing of NOLA’s Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Review will be there as direct support, while Houston’s Zenteno Spirit will open things up. There’s plenty more including a dinner and a silent auction for the 21 & up show that has doors at 2 pm and a $15 cover.
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. Photo: Leon Morris
If you’d rather, you can trek out to the Woodlands Pavilion for a set from Hall & Oates. One of these guys is pretty tall, and the other…not so much, but they totally ruled the eighties. Hits like, “You Make My Dreams Come True,” “Rich Girl,” “Maneater,” “Private Eyes,” and a ton more are all to their credit; and I saw them about fifteen years ago and they’re actually good live. In a strange twist, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings will bring their high energy to all as direct support. Their 2024 album, Give The People What They Want, is still amazing, and you should see them live sooner than later. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will open the all ages show with gates at 6 pm and tickets between $25 and $125.
Of course, you might want to get things bumpin’ over at Toyota Center for the rescheduled show for Rihanna. I don’t need to oversell this show do I? You know who she is, you know she puts on a great show, and I’m sure you know that her new album, ANTI, is on point. The popular sounds of Houston rapper and pal to Kanye, Travi$ Scott will be on as direct support & opener. The all ages show has doors at 6:30 pm and tickets are between $30.50 and $151.
The Wind + The Wave. Photo: Nubbs
The Icelandic pop folk of Kaleo will be over at House of Blues. This band is insanely popular, they’ve played a ton of festivals, and while their debut album hasn’t dropped yet, they’re known for the hit “All The Pretty Girls.” Not to be outdone in the world of popular tunes, Austin’s The Wind + The Wave will be on as direct support and opener. They’ll be here in support of their super catchy album, “Covers One” from last year. The all ages show has doors at 7:30 pm and tickets for $16.
Monday you can head to Walters to catch the deathcore of Mexico’s Here Comes The Kraken. These guys don’t come here much, they’re touring in support of their reissued debut, Here Comes The Kraken, and they’re known for an insane live show. Speaking of bands that rarely come here, France’s technical death metal band, Gorod will be on the show as direct support. These guys mix prog and metal with ease, and their new album, A Maze of Recycled Creeds, is pretty nuts. Dallas’ Seeker will also be on the show, while Mexico’s Lack of Remorse will open the all ages show with doors at 6 pm and tickets between $10 and $13.
Satellite Bar will host a set from Las Vegas’ Bobby Meader. The folk indie punk mixture will be here in support of last year’s Sometimes I’d Wish You’d Tell A Lie. I’ve never seen them before, but I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t intrigued by this four piece and their saccharine sounding tunes. The singer songwriter tunes of Houston’s Phillip Alan Zimmerle will be on as direct support while the indie folk punk of Houston’s Civeta Dei will go on beforehand. I’d suggest catching them sooner than later, as their 2024 release Beautiful Thinking echoes a mix of early Modest Mouse and early Bright Eyes. The indie pop fuzz of College Station’s Luca will open the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and a measly $5 cover.
Boondocks will help you get your groove on when they have a show put on by the Lazy Bit Collective on the Chiptune Dance Party. The show will feature a headlining set from the impressive jams of San Antonio’s Star Fighter Dreams. Last year he made videogame based musicians creamy when he dropped the No Talent EP, and he’s known for a lit live show. The insanely catchy chiptune jams of Houston’s Broken Satellite will be on as direct support, while the crazed Gameboy made EDM jams for Houston’s Ten Pixels Tall will perform prior. The techno sounding chiptune of Houston’s FLOAT will also be on hand, while the ambient tracks of OVERCRASH will open the show. The 21 and up dance party has doors at 9 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
Florence + The Machine. Photo: Oli Scarff
Tuesday I’d guess that many of you were heading out to the Woodlands Pavilion to catch London’s Florence + The Machine. After becoming a star after the success of the song, “Dog Days Are Over,” this group just seems to get better and is known for a high energy live show. It goes without saying that last year’s How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful was amazing, and it should be a treat to hear the songs live. Grimes will bring her trippy pop crazed energy to the show as direct support and opener. No one was as shocked as I was as to how mesmerized I was at Fun Fun Fun Fest from Grimes’ electric performance, and you’re an idiot if you miss her perform tracks from last year’s Art Angels. The all ages show has gates at 6:30 pm and tickets between $31 and $80.50.
Warehouse Live will have a set from rap superstar in the making, Vince Staples over in the studio. Last year Staples dropped the epic dual disc release, Summertime ‘06, and drew plenty of praise from hits like “Norf Norf,” and “Senorita.” The rumor is that Staples is one of the best live rappers going, so if you’re a fan I’d suggest showing up. There’s no word of openers but that could easily change for the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets for $20.
Over at Mucky Duck you can catch the sultry voiced beauty of Austin’s Lex Land. Though she had an appearance on “The Voice,” I’d be lying if I said that her 2024 album “Were My Sweetheart To Go…” wasn’t one of the most beautifully fierce albums I’d ever heard. The 21 and up show has doors at 7:30 pm and tickets between $20 and $22.
That’s about all that’s going on this week yet still pretty full. No matter what you decide to do, please do so in the safest manner possible, and remember that getting home safe is the biggest goal when you go out.
